364 OBSERVATIONS ON THE CURRENTS. 



to make the land well to the Westward, and to keep close to it. From No- 

 vember until May (the Dry Season) you should endeavour to make the land 

 well to the Eastward, and run along shore ; as the sea breezes generally 

 blow very strongly, and the Current sets to the Westward at the rate of 

 about 2 miles an hour. 



Between Chagres and Porto Bello, during the rainy season, there is 

 generally a Northerly Current, at the rate of 1\ to 2|- miles an hour. After 

 the end of the rainy season the Current sets to the Southward and West- 

 ward, and strong Southerly and Easterly gales prevail here. From No- 

 vember until May (the Dry Season) the Southerly and Westerly are very 

 light winds, except in squalls, which end with heavy rain. 



" If at Chagres, at any time during the rainy season (May till November), 

 and bound to the Eastward, endeavour to get 12 or 15 miles from the land 

 as soon as you can ; for the winds are, in general, very Ught, and the 

 Current very strong. The latter sets from Chagres directly on the rocks of 

 Porto Bello, and thence along the land E. by N., E.N.E., E.S.E., and 

 according as the land lies ; its general rate being from 1| to 2^ miles an 

 hour. Great care should be taken when near the land, if a heavy squall 

 and rain appear to be coming on. During this you will have the wind from 

 all points of the compass, and often so strong that all sail must be taken in. 



" In crossing the Gulf of Darien, little or no Current will be found ; 

 wherever there is any, it sets about South, S. by W., or S. by E., up the 

 Gulf. 



" Near Cartagena the Current generally goes with the wind ; but off the 

 Islands of Rosarito it sets to the N.W. and N.N.W., from 1 to 2 miles an 

 hour. Between Cartagena and the Magdalena, in the rainy season, you 

 cannot put any dependence on the winds or current ; but from November 

 to May the Trade Wind blows home. 



" I should recommend, if turning to windward, with strong Trade Winds, 

 to keep the shore close-to ; whereas, by going off from the land, you will 

 not only have a heavy sea, but also a strong N.W. Current. If you have 

 light variable winds, approach no nearer to the land than 12 or. 15 miles, 

 as you may be certain of an Easterly Current." 



Captain Livingston says: — "During five weeks in which I remained 

 at Cartagena, in June and July, 1817, the Current inshore set constantly 

 and strongly to the Northward, at the rate, I am convinced, of not less 

 than 1| mile an hour, or nearly as strong as the Mississippi at New Orleans. 

 I have seen the Esk, sloop of war, current-rode against a very fresh sea- 

 breeze, when at anchor, nearly West from the city, distant about half a 

 mile." 



On July 31st, 1889, Captain Daniels, of the steamer Caribbean, between 

 Cartagena and Colon, particularly off Farallon Sucio, observed the current 

 to set E.N.E., 5 miles au hour ! 



Off Point Manzanillo, numerous tide-rips were observed from the U.S.S. 

 Enterprise, in November, 1890, and a current of 1^ knot per hour setting 

 to the Eastward. Captain James Lockwood, of the Pacific Mail Steam- 

 ship Company, states that he has often found a current close in to the 

 coast as strong as 2^ knots per hour. 



As the land back of Manzanillo is high, and can be seen from 40 to 60 



